The Dove in the Tea Room

And Other Life Stories

The Friedmans and Gottliebs were ordinary people living extraordinary lives. Perservering through periods of war, persecution, personal tragedy and economic crisis, they always clung to the core values that marked them as the brave and decent family they are.

With this memoir they remember those who came before them, and honor them for passing down the beliefs that made them a family to be proud of. They passed down stories, too --and by putting these intimate fragments, favorites of the clan, into print, they hope to preserve family lore and inspire newer generations to do the same.

In an effort to identify the family members in a loose collection of old photographs, the memories -- humorous, poignant and sometimes heartbreaking -- intruded, revealing a compelling drama of two American Jewish families.